My Life in the South

By: Jacob Stroyer (1849-1908)

My Life in the South is the vivid and touching autobiography of African-American former slave, Jacob Stroyer. It recounts experiences from his early childhood on the planation up to his involvement in the Confederacy's war effort and eventually his experience of becoming a free man.

First Page:

MY LIFE IN THE SOUTH.

[Illustration: JACOB STROYER.]

MY LIFE IN THE SOUTH.

BY
JACOB STROYER.

NEW AND ENLARGED EDITION.

SALEM, MASS.:
Newcomb & Gauss, Printers.
1898.

Salem, Mass., September 19, 1898.

Mr. Stroyer's account of his experience in slavery and during the war is
of great interest and value as a trustworthy description of the
condition and life of slaves by one of themselves . His memory is
remarkably keen and his narrative vivid and at times both touching and
thrilling. The book is a great credit to its author and deserves a
generous reception and a wide circulation.

John Wright Buckham.

August 13, 1879.

In this book Mr. Stroyer has given us, with a most simple and effective
realism, the inside view of the institution of slavery. It is worth
reading, to know how men, intelligent enough to report their experience,
felt under the yoke... Continue reading book >>